Coconino County hopes to reach residents who need immediate medical help but may not want to ask for it by using an old technology.
It’s called a harm-reduction vending machine. Using a grant from the Arizona Department of Health Services, the county installed the vending machine at its own health department this week.
Candice Koenker is the county health department’s prevention program manager. "People can come here and get free harm-reduction supplies," she said.
The vending machine offers fentanyl test kits, test strips for the tranquilizer xylazine, NARCAN, gun locks, prenatal vitamins and safer sex kits.
"We decided to buy a vending machine so that people could come and get them without having to interact with anyone. They can come and get them on their own time. They can come and get them free of judgement and stigma. And they can have these items for free," she said.
Similar machines have been set up by clinics in Page, and Flagstaff Medical Center will be placing one outside of the emergency department room.
